Water Wastage in Secondary Schools: A Case of Secondary Schools in Esikhaleni Circuit, King Cetshwayo District, KwaZulu-Natal
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Abstract
South Africa is facing significant challenges of water sustainability due to water scarcity, poor quality and wastages in most of its water supply systems. Unless the said challenges are urgently addressed, the socio-economic aspect of the country is under a significant threat. The hope to deal with these challenges rests upon education. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether secondary school learners in King Cetshwayo district do practice water wastage and the extent thereof. It also aimed to establish whether secondary schools teach water sustainability in their curriculum. The study will propose strategies for promoting water sustainability in secondary schools. A mixed-methods approach was embraced in this study. Questionnaires, observations and focus group interviews were employed as data collection tools from 120 purposefully selected participants. The findings revealed that secondary school learners practice water wastage and that schools are not promoting water sustainability. Therefore, the study recommended that schools conduct water quantity audits, conduct awareness campaigns, celebrate environmental days, appoint an onsite plumber and install water tanks to harvest rainwater.
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